To feel hurt that my lovely dog licking someone caused such distress.

[sweetgrape]

He's just a big affectionate softy, the only trouble is he thinks everyone loves him. We went for our walk this morning in the park and sat down on a bench for a rest. We'd only been sat down a minute or so and this woman sits down next to me. We were just chatting about the weather when all of a sudden she jumped up shrieking, "ahhh the dog just licked my leg"
Now I know not everyone loves dogs but i thought it was a bit of an over reaction. I did apologise but I felt kind of sorry for my dog, who seemed to have a bit of a hurt look on his face. Wabu to have felt sorry for my dog or should I have felt more sorry for the woman?

Yuk. I hate dog slobber and really hate being licked. I don't like cats licking me either, and get the arse when the children do it too.

She probably shouldn't have sat next to you, but apart from that SINBU, you are.

LOL at you worrying about dog's hurt feelings!

My dog likes a sneaky snog (don't tie your shoe laces when we are near) and I tell her off for licking people!!!

My dog is soppy and sweet but I don't blame people for not wanting to be licked by her!

Maybe she's terrified of dogs then not sitting on the same bench by the dog would be a start don't you think?

PickleSarnie "Maybe she's terrified of dogs?"

Yes, people who are terrified of dogs always sit on a bench next to one, don't they?

I would not have liked the lick either. Dogs' mouth areas can be involved with dogfood, other dog's bottoms, sniffing random poo on pavements (even eating poo, bleuch!)licking their own genitals. That is why I am not happy at all at having dog saliva on my skin...shudder!

To those saying about being terrified/allergic of dogs and dog saliva, remember this random person chose to sit next to the dog and owner! Who in their right mind would do that if they really didn't like dogs or the thought of interacting with them? Granted not every dog is licky but a lot of them are, be in a dogs presence and you really have to kinda expect that this might happen.

The dog being hurt over that, however, is just a tad silly and somewhat of a projection of the OPs feelings.

I personally have no issue with a licky dog, it's what they do and it doesn't bother me at all, in fact it often is quite ticklish!!

She must have seen him, he had half his body under the bench and the front half sticking out. I think it was probably a gentle lick on the ankle because he was lying down.

I like dogs, but am allergic to their hair and saliva. Whilst I choose not to go near them, unless I've taken a whacking dose of antihistamines, it REALLY PEES ME OFF that some dog owners let their pets run around jumping up at strangers and licking or otherwise. They are really selfish. I've had coats and trousers dirtied and scratched by pets with lazy owners, which I have to remove and wash thoroughly. Also small children, who may not be used to dogs or even grown ups who have had past scary dog experiences can be absolutely terrified by a large animal approaching them, friendly or not. Invasion of personal space in that manner is not acceptable by people, why should it be by dogs?

I think an unexpected cold wet tongue is enough to make most people squeal a bit!

It's daft to feel sorry for your dog. It sounds as if she just reacted in surprise, and you're acting as if she said something unpleasant.

I did apologise but I felt kind of sorry for my dog, who seemed to have a bit of a hurt look on his face. Wabu to have felt sorry for my dog

I imagine that your dog was a bit puzzled and intrigued by the odd behaviour, rather than hurt but then I would be too.

Why sit down right next to a dog then react like that when it licked your leg? Bizarre and very drama queenish.

Our rescue JRT has a thing about licking people's legs and feet. He knows better than to do it to me these days but we have visitors who positively encourage him to lick their feet

YABU.

I wouldn't have shreiked I don't think, but I wouldn't have liekd it either.

You love your dog, but nobody else has to.

I hate being licked by dogs. Just can't understand people who don't. I have a friend who kisses her dogs on the mouth. Double yuck.

I love the idea that people are conjuring up dog phobias/allergies etc without stopping to think that if this was the case surely the woman would not have chosen to sit next to the dog! In MN it is always the fault of the dog (or the owner who should train their dog for every unpretictable eventuality) and never the fault of the adult human being with the abilities to make their own choices and consider possible outcomes of those choices

You need to control your dog.

The dog has just been licking its own bum! Of course she didn't want it licking her!
Maybe there was no where else to sit, and that is why she sat next to your dog!
YABU!! Very!

Bad behaviour? Licking is hardly bad behaviour, we explore with. Our hands and eye, dogs with their noses and mouths. Ok it's not the most pleasant but it's nature. I would have been surprised as well but not offended at all.

Stupid bloody woman, choose to sit next to a dog and you risk getting licked - and if it was on her ankle, she's even more stupid to make a fuss, I'd have laughed at her

Dh is allergic to dog hair and saliva. He would be have been impressed. I don't think the woman was bu, I am not allergic but would not like it either.

Yabu to be feeling hurt for your dog. Your dog doesn't give a shit

The shrieking was a bit silly and unnecessary, but I'm sure your dog wasn't "hurt".

I know it sounds daft to say he was hurt by that but you'd have to know him. He is easily offended. Obviously not by her words but more by her actions in jumping up and..... rejecting his affection? I realise that sounds ridiculous but like I say he really is a big softy and gets so used to (nearly) everyone loving him.

I wouldn't say I was a dog lover as such - can't see myself ever owning one for example - but I don't dislike them either & the presence of one wouldn't stop me sitting on a bench.

However, I probably would jump a bit if he or she licked me. More out of surprise than anything! It wouldn't be a major issue, I wouldn't get all upset about it, but I doubt my initial reaction would be "oh, how cute!" .

What might annoy me however, is if the dog owner subsequently appeared offended by my quite normal reaction.

And I doubt your dog will be emotionally scarred by this particular incident.

sunshine dh is allergic, should he not be allowed to go to the park or sit on a bench because there is a dog nearby? Would you say the se to people will other illnesses?

at some of the responses on here.

And I'm laughing at quite a few replies on this thread - some people need a very large grip, or maybe should just stay indoors all the time in their lovely germ-free, sterile houses